Sooke Harbour House Hotel Owners Sinclair and Frédérique Philip win the First
Governor General's Nation's Table Award for Mentorship and Inspiration

OTTAWA, June 28 /CNW/ - Sooke Harbour House Hotel owners Sinclair and Frédérique Philip were among the first recipients of the Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table for Mentorship and Inspiration. Their Excellencies, Governor General Michaëlle Jean and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond, presented the awards on Wednesday in a ceremony at Rideau Hall.

The awards were given to 14 recipients to recognize and celebrate outstanding efforts in improving the quality, variety and sustainability of all elements and ingredients of our nation's table, stated a release from Rideau Hall. The nomination and selection process was overseen by an advisory committee of experts from across Canada.

The owners of Sooke Harbour House Hotel on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Sinclair and Frédérique Philip, were honoured for mentorship and inspiration along with Jean-Luc Boulay, Owner of Quebec City's Le Saint-Amour Restaurant. The Philips have created and maintained an "incubator" for regional and sustainable food philosophies over the past 31 years and have mentored and produced some of this country's most respected chefs including Michael Stadtlander, another recipient of this award.

"With the inexhaustible food knowledge of Sinclair and the artistic eye of Frédérique, Sooke Harbour House has mentored and produced some of this country's most respected chefs," says the release from Rideau Hall.

"With its network of local fishers, foragers and artisanal food producers, this dynamic couple have created one of the most internationally recognized and acclaimed inns in this country. By working their own extensive gardens and building strong relationships with local growers, Mr. and Mrs. Philip are an unsurpassed testament to quality and commitment to a regional economy."

The Philips attribute their recognition to the local fishermen, farmers, First Nations People, foragers, food artisans and employees of Sooke Harbour House.

"I am honoured and very humbled to have been chosen to receive this Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table for Mentorship and Inspiration. Inspiration does not happen by itself and my inspiration is always sparked and nourished by the creativity of others. It is fired by the farmers, foragers, gardeners, fisherman, chefs, artists and every member of the Sooke Harbour House team. This award is for them," she says.

The Philips have not relented in their crusade to promote seasonal, regional, Canadian cuisine since 1979 when they began their hundred mile focus. This year, the couple has redeveloped the Sooke Harbour House original farm and, it is certified organic, just like the gardens at Sooke Harbour House.

According to Sinclair Philip, "I am delighted and honoured by this award. The Sooke Harbour House Hotel will do everything it can to continue to serve the most delicious regional foods that Vancouver Island has to offer to its hotel guests, in an ongoing spirit of conviviality."

For further information: and photographs, please contact: Sinclair Philip, 250-642-3421 ext. 203, [email protected], www.sookeharbourhouse.com; or Frédérique Philip, 250-642-3421 ext. 308, [email protected], www.sookeharbourhouse.com